Practical Roof Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know By Heart

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense, sheltering your interior from many possible damages. This is why it is important to ensure that your roof is always in good shape. Replacing the roof can be costly, so you need to maintain it to avoid the costly expenses. By maintaining your roof regularly, you can steer clear of major damage or repairs. If you’re not quite sure what you should be doing to maintain your roof, here are some practical tips to guide you.

Replace The Sealant 

Keep an eye on the areas where there is a sealant and watch out for any deterioration. If you notice it is in poor condition, then you need to remove the old sealant and replace it with a new sealant. This is an easy and simple way to maintain the strength and health of your roof. 

Roof Age 

It’s a good idea to find out the age of your roof. Most roofs have a lifespan of around 20-25 years. This depends on whether any layers were replaced. If a roof has been installed on other layers and is 20 years or older then you may need a new roof. 

Shingles 

Make sure you are inspecting the shingles regularly. Your roof has to endure all kinds of extreme weather conditions. Fluctuating weather can cause constant expansion and contraction of the roof materials, and the shingles take most of the damage. It is important to check for damage at least once every three months to stay on top of it. 

Consider taking photos every time you inspect the shingles so you can keep track of any changes. It isn’t out of the ordinary to notice some wear and tear, but if there are cracks or if there are missing shingles, you’ll need to repair this as soon as possible. When going on your roof, make sure that you do so at a time when it’s not too hot or cold. Shingles become much more sensitive during extreme weather so stepping on them during this time can cause damage. The best times to assess the shingles are in the morning during summer and the afternoon in winter.

Gutters

Ensure that you are regularly cleaning your gutters. Congested gutters collect water which can affect the structural integrity of the roof, due to the added weight. Keep on top of gutter maintenance to avoid damage to your roof and ensure that the gutters are clear. 

Clean up Overhead 

A source of damage is debris or falling branches from the surrounding trees. Twigs and debris that fall onto your roof can cause damage if they aren’t removed regularly. This debris can affect the shingles since it can lift the tiles and allow moisture to enter the house. If you maintain this regularly, you can remove yourself without needing to call in a professional. 

This debris can be cleaned by hand or with a leaf blower. If you don’t have a leaf blower you can use a broom or brush. Make sure that you remove the debris gently so as not to cause any damage to the roof. There are more tips when you click here that will help you better understand how to protect your roof from falling debris. If there are large branches near your roof, you will need to get rid of them, as well as any leaves or debris that could fall onto the roof. 

Moss

You might not realize it, but your roof is the ideal climate for moss to grow as they thrive in a damp or humid environment. A buildup of moss, debris, and rainwater on the roof can cause it to rot or even leak.

To reduce the chances of this damage, you can use cleaning products to remove any moss your roof might have. There are some products that are sprayed onto the roof and break the moss down chemically, the residue can then be washed away by the rain. Some cleaning products, however, require the roof to be washed first before the chemical is spread on the roof. The moss can then easily be brushed away. 

Attic 

Another important way of maintaining your roof is to keep an eye on your attic. This is a great way to spot any issues with your roof early on before they turn into big problems. Watch out for dark spots which could indicate a leak. By dealing with a leak during its early stage, you can prevent the water from festering and will avoid having mold. Dealing with mold can be incredibly difficult and time-consuming. You should also watch out for missing shingles or other types of exposure in the attic. 

To preserve the health of your roof, ensure the attic is properly insulated. If it is under-insulated, this can cause heat to escape. Escaped heat can melt any snow or ice which then refreezes due to temperature change. The cycle of thawing and freezing can cause water to eventually infiltrate the roof, causing damage. Safeguarding the health of your attic will, in turn, ensure the health of your roof. 

Wash

To maintain your roof it is important to keep washing it. Roofs will eventually start to look dirty, with dark streaks which are in fact algae. Algae is pretty harmless but if left for a while it can begin to rot the roof. To get rid of algae, spray it with a mixture of equal parts bleach and water. The bleach will kill the algae, but you will need to install copper strips on the roof. This will prevent algae from forming again. 

A solid roof is important for your safety and the integrity of your home. Learning to maintain your roof is essential to prevent major damage to your home. Ensure that you regularly check the roof’s interior and exterior to spot any damage, and remove any debris or twigs. A lot of roofing problems can be avoided with the right preventative measures. By learning how to recognize the most common roofing issues and maintain your roof, you can avoid costly damages or repairs.